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A U.S. delegation of Ping Pong players left the 31st World Tennis Championship in Japan left for a trip to China, the first such civilian exchange since the U.S. and China closed off relations. This team included 15 Americans, led by Rufford Harrison. Members icluded Rufford Harrison, Tim Boggan, George Buben, Jack Howard, John Tannchill, Errol Resek, Glenn Cowan, George Braithwaite, Connie Sweeris, Judy Bochenski, and Olga Soltesz. Three American journalists also accompanied the team.

Plant physiologist Arthur W. Galston and micro-biologist Etham R. Signer visited China by invitation after a visit to Vietnam. They were met by Chinese scientists and members of the China Travel and Tourism Administrative Bureau. Their visit included trips to Peking University; No. 3 school for the deaf and mute; the Peking west city district semi-conductor equipment plant; No. 3 hospital of the Peking Medical college and the Peking No. 3 cotton mill. They also visited various scientific institutions and centers for research.

Premier Chou En Lai met with Americans living in Beijing over a friendly dinner. This included William H. Hinton, wife Joanne Hinton, and daughter Carmelita Hinton who was studying in Peking; Frank and Ruth Coe; Dr. George Hatem; Erwin Engat and wife Joan Hinton and son Fred Engst. Various Chinese government members were also present.

For the first time since 1949, a leading U.S. official visited China to engage with diplomatic discussions with the P.R.C. Henry Kissinger visited Peking to negotiate a later visit by President Nixon to China.

After several rounds of backdoor diplomacy through go-betweens, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger made a secret trip to the PRC in order to meet with Zhou Enlai and other senior Chinese leaders to pave the way for a visit by President Nixon.

A delegation from the U.S. Black Workers Congress visited China under invitation by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Members of the delegation included leader James Fourman, Muhammed Kenyatta, and Helen Jones.

Premier Chou En Lai, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee Kuo Mo Jo, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee Keng Piao, and Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries met with over 70 American citizens for conversation.

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Commission Report

Polls show Americans and Chinese are becoming less trustful of each other’s country. The Commission assesses the problem and offers recommendations to foster greater U.S.-China collaboration and understanding.